1946-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-005

Description

Medium southward spread on Lincoln's eyelid distinguishes DDO-005, a San Francisco Mint doubled die obverse on the 1946-S wheat cent that pairs with DDR-001 on the reverse — an uncommon convergence of both obverse and reverse hub doubling from a single die marriage. The mintmark is MMS-004, the trumpet tail variety characterized by a curved extension at the base of the S. VarietyVista catalogs this die under UVC-1740 and DMR-053 with three documented die stages: Stage A presents in Early Die State (unconfirmed); Stage B reaches Mid Die State and introduces die gouges over the UST of TRUST along with numerous north-south die scratches on the reverse; Stage C advances both obverse and reverse into Late Die State. The Stage B gouges above TRUST and the reverse scratches serve as reliable secondary diagnostics for attributors who may struggle to see the eyelid spread on worn examples. Because this die is listed as carrying DDR-001 on its reverse, collectors examining specimens should check both sides for variety markers.

Die Markers

• UVC-1740
• DMR-053
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Die gouges over UST of TRUST – MDS
• Reverse is LISTED as DDR-001 – MDS
• Numerous die scratches North-South on Reverse
• Stage C:
• Obverse and Reverse are LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References